第１２２７堀：驚きの事実 (Part2)
"Oh, no. I was just surprised by the content of our conversation; it’s no problem at all. Come, let’s move on."
As Yuki spoke, the guards seemed relieved and began to advance once more. However, the rest of us huddled together, faces drawn close, eager to hear more about this shocking revelation.
"So, Enola. Based on what you said earlier, there are 'female goblins'?"
"Yeah, that’s right. Wait, why is Yuki asking about something so obvious? You didn't know?"
"I didn't. Female goblins have never been confirmed on the Rogari or If continents."
"Huh? Really?"
"Really. Stasia, did you know about this?"
Yuki turned his question to Stasia, who had also grown up on the New Continent.
"Um, I apologize. I knew that goblin villages existed, but I never looked into the specifics of their lifestyle. I suppose I just assumed that since they existed as a village and lived normal lives, it was only natural for both genders to be present. Conversely, I thought the fact that we only ever see males among Steve’s group in Weed was either a cultural quirk or a special circumstance resulting from the way you summoned them, Yuki-sama."
I see. So even Stasia couldn't distinguish between what was correct and what was merely an assumption.
Still, female goblins... I simply cannot imagine it.
"Ah, this is definitely something we need to investigate thoroughly. Or perhaps I should be grateful that this misconception was cleared up beforehand. Hivia and Wazfi would be thrilled to hear this. What do you think, Agil?"
"They’d be overjoyed, no doubt. I was stunned to hear it myself. I’d always operated under the assumption that goblins were exclusively male. This fact alone makes the journey here worthwhile."
"I suppose so. But why do you think it is? That 'female goblins' exist?"
Hmm. Yuki’s question is certainly valid, and we are all eager to hear the opinion of a researcher like Agil.
"Well, it’s hard to say without seeing the site for myself. One could come up with all sorts of 'forced' explanations. But we’ve already proven that goblins can survive as biological entities even without magic stones, thanks to the barrier here in Hylen."
That much had been confirmed through our previous investigations.
Species capable of living as 'biological' entities remained, while pure 'magical creatures' like slimes were confirmed to have vanished the moment the magic stones were removed.
In fact, the slime units in Weed had suffered from that very phenomenon.
Fortunately, the elite Surakichi-san unit had managed to endure, but even they admitted it had been a grueling ordeal.
"Everyone knows that much by now. But simply surviving isn't enough to propagate a species. I’d never considered the factor of a goblin's lifespan before, but as Enola and Stasia say, if 'females exist,' they must need partners to leave behind offspring. Otherwise, they would have died out. So, my theory is that, as seen in some other organisms, 'this environment triggered the emergence of females.'"
"Well, that sounds plausible. But originally, goblins could leave offspring with other species, couldn't they? Wouldn't that have been enough?"
"That is exactly the point we should be focusing on. Perhaps they lost the ability to procreate with other races? Maybe they were a male-only species precisely because they had magic stones?"
"Ah, I see."
I didn't quite follow, but Yuki seemed to understand, nodding along.
"Regardless, I’m glad we know this in advance. Everyone, refrain from staring if you happen to see a female goblin. You might make them wary."
"Understood."
"And Steve. If you want to pursue a relationship with a woman, consult me first, alright?"
"No thanks, Alfin is more than enough for me."
Ah, that’s right. He’s still 'living together' with Alfin.
They really should just file the paperwork already.
Since they’ve effectively acknowledged the relationship, why must the goblins of Weed be so difficult about it?
A female goblin specimen discovered!
This is a first for this world!